In the last five years, China has built 20,000 miles of expressways, finishing the construction of 12 national highways a whopping 13 years ahead of schedule. But China is in danger of making the same mistakes the United States made on its way to superpower status -- mistakes that have left Americans reliant on foreign oil from unstable parts of the world, staggering under the cost of unhealthy patterns of living, and struggling to overcome the urban legacy of decades of inner-city decay. From Foreign Policy, Cities Issue

One legacy of its time behind the Iron Curtain is now changing, as the near-derelict old communist blocks and drab squares are being transformed, having been given a bright and colourful new facelift. A whole new Albanian style of urban design has begun to emerge in the 21st century

Waterfront developments across the Middle East are creating large new urban communities. This Middle East-centered trend is particularly concerned with creating new waterfronts and reshaped urban coastlines involving substantial land reclamation, as well as 'canalling' water channels inland. By Rupak Chatterjee

Much research has already been done on the background and conditions supporting the incredible growth of the Gulf states. RUDI has put together an at-a-glance review of the most accurate and up-to-date data currently available from independent researchers in the region

The list of major urban developments underway in the emirate of Dubai has to be seen to be believed. The list is updated constantly, but here are most of the major projects, each with links to further sources of information

Across the Gulf, massive artificial island developments that could house more than 500,000 people are being developed up to 20km offshore. But are such offshore develoments sustainable? By Juliana O'Rourke. Photos by Mohamed Panchbaya

Dubai’s unique combination of governmental structure, commercial policy and planning regime has created an incredible urban development movement that is being eagerly copied around the region and beyond.

Buildings needn’t cost the earth – sustainable ‘green’ developments can be economically viable when whole life costs are taken into account. But do we need to regulate for sustainability? By Rupak ChatterjeeBased on a lecture by Professor Phillip Jones (Head of School, Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University) at the British University in Dubai (BUID)